Introduction 

Over 23,000 students across the Gulf have been affected by exam cancellations in 2026. This forces schools to shift towards alternative grading systems. So, naturally, questions are being raised about how the alternative grading system will work, whether they are fair, and how universities will view these alternative options during the admission process. 

And due to cancelled exams, no confirmed date, and continuous changes in decisions, students and families are confused. They are stuck in a situation where they don't really know what to expect next. If your family is in that position, this guide is for you. 

What Are the Alternatives to Exam Results for University Admission? 

Here are some practical options you have if your exams are cancelled, whether you are a  student of IB or the British Curriculum: 

Option 1: Communicate Directly with Universities 

This is the safest option. Regardless of your curriculum, what you can do is to contact the university's admission office directly. Email the universities in which you want to get admission and explain the situation. And ask explicitly whether contingency or alternative grades will be accepted, and get the answer in writing. 

Option 2: Accept the Alternative Grade 

There is an option of alternative grades for British and IB students. So, your grades will be calculated from coursework, mock exams, internal assessments, and teacher predictions. This means if you have a strong year-round performance, you have the biggest advantage. 

Option 3: Defer to the Next Exam Session 

If you are targeting highly competitive programs like medicine, law, or architecture, this is a smart option for you. Students who cannot give exams right now may defer to a later series. 

British curriculum students can defer to May/June 2027. IB students can defer to November 2026. 

Option 4: Shift the Centre

The IB is formally supporting transfers to IB World Schools in countries where the May 2026 session is still proceeding at no extra registration cost. 

This is logistically demanding, but some families are already pursuing it. If you are considering this option, keep in mind that schools stick to their deadlines. 

Will Universities Accept these Final Grades from Cancelled Gulf Exams 2026? 

The answer is yes. The UK, US, Australian and Canadian universities have faced the same situation of cancelled and disrupted exams back in COVID-19 in 2020. If they w  ere able to handle the situation back then, they would be able to manage it now. Many UAE universities have committed to flexibility. 

At some universities in Dubai, admission processes are being evaluated based on predicted grades and revised assessment models (Gulf News). On the Cambridge International Education official website, it states that in countries or regions where exams cannot take place, we ask schools to submit a portfolio of three substantial pieces of evidence for each student. NYU Abu Dhabi has confirmed they will fully accept the NECM grades and other alternative pathways. 

Other institutes like American University of Sharjah (AUS), Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and the University of Birmingham Dubai are extending the application deadlines to August 2026. 

Which Exams are Cancelled and How You Will be Graded? 

Every board has its own approach to deciding the final grades. Here are some of the international board exams that have cancelled their exams, and how they will decide your final grades: 

International Baccalaureate (IB) 

According to Gulf News, the IB final examination of grade 12 students has been cancelled. And grades will be awarded through a special contingency measure. 

So, the government has decided that the results will be awarded using a non-exam contingency measure (NECM). It applies that your final results will be determined by internal assessments, coursework, and teacher-predicted grades. 

Cambridge International 

Cambridge International has also cancelled their exams and uses a portfolio of evidence process when formal examinations cannot proceed. What does the portfolio of evidence include: 

• Mock examinations 
• Coursework 
• Class assessments
• Teacher authentication 

The examiners will review your submitted portfolio against the same marking criteria used for formal examinations. This means the grade awarded to you in this process carries the same validity as a grade obtained through a formal examination. 

CBSE

Grade 10 and 12 exams cancelled across the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman & Iran. Final grades combine available board exam scores (from Feb–Mar sittings) with school internal assessments. Missed exams can be resat in the next board cycle.

What Should You Do Right Now? 

To make sure you are in the strongest possible position, here is your practical action plan you need to follow: 

Gather Your Academic Evidence

You need to gather the following academic evidence:

• Certified copies of your mock exam results from your school
• Compile all your class tests and assessments
• Your coursework grades 
• teacher -assessed grades 

In this way, you can make a complete portfolio of evidence as universities request you to do this. 

Contact Target Universities 

Write a professional and detailed email to the target university's admission office. Make sure to include: 

• Your name, applicant number, and the course you are applying for 
• Details of the current situation (exams cancelled) 

Ask Your School for an Official Letter 

Request a letter from your school which clearly says that: 

• Due to the current situation, examinations are cancelled 
• Your predicted grades and the reasons for which they were determined 
• The school has submitted evidence to the exam board 

Keep Studying Seriously 

Predicted grades and portfolio assessments are based on your performance to date. And teachers will be assessing you. Do not take exam cancellations as a valid reason not to study. The students who continue to study and perform well will ensure a stronger portfolio than exam performance might predict. Moreover, the AP students still have chances to give exams. 

Document Everything 

Keep soft copies of every piece of your academic work, every internal assessment, and every teacher's feedback in a document. In case a university or scholarship asks you for evidence, you will be well prepared in advance. 

Weigh Deferral Carefully

For competitive programmes, deferring to the next exam series may protect your application more than an uncertain portfolio or predicted grade. Discuss with your counsellor before deciding.

Get Help From Expert Counsellors 

Going through this situation all alone is genuinely hard. You are left to make sudden decisions, whether to wait or prefer deferral. That is where a skilled and expert counsellor can help you make the right decisions. From university communication to personalised assessment according to your exam board and target universities, professional counsellors can build a realistic and customised pathway for you. In such conditions, CounsellingX is one of the best platforms to strengthen your application. 

How CounsellingX has Helped Students Through This All

We understand that exam disruptions can feel overwhelming, especially when students are unsure about grades, university admissions, and next steps. Our expert counsellors have supported students affected by cancelled exams by reviewing their profiles and predicted grades, helping them find the best admission pathways abroad without losing time or opportunities. 

Here's what we're doing for our students right now:

• Clarification: Based on your board exams and country, our expert counsellors will clarify whether you will get predicted grades or internal assessment grades. 
• Personalised situation assessment: We look at your specific country, exam board, target universities, and find a realistic way to improve your chances. 
• University communications: We draft and send professional emails to admissions offices on your behalf, explaining the context clearly and advocating for flexibility. Our established relationships with universities mean these conversations move faster.
• Documentation support: We work with your school to obtain predicted grade letters, leaving certificates, and course completion records in the exact formats universities need.
• Visa pathway guidance: From bank statements to travel history, and health insurance, we make sure your documentation route you follow also satisfies student visa requirements. 

With the right documentation, the right university communication, and the right guidance, the path forward is clearer than it might feel right now. If you're a student struggling to find a way due to cancelled exams, reach out for a consultation. The earlier we start, the more options stay open. Book a free consultation now. 

FAQs

Will my child’s university admission be affected if exams are cancelled?

No, in most cases it will not be affected. Universities are accepting official alternative assessments such as predicted grades, coursework, and board-moderated results. Admissions teams are adapting to ensure students are not disadvantaged due to disruptions.

Will there be delays in university admissions due to exam cancellations?

Some universities may extend deadlines or allow conditional offers, but most are adjusting timelines to ensure students are not delayed significantly.

Will American curriculum students (SAT/AP) be affected the same way?

No. The US system is different:

• SAT/AP are already test-optional in many universities
• Schools rely heavily on GPA and transcripts
• If exams are unavailable, students are not blocked from applying

What is NECM for IB students in UAE universities? 

Non-exams contingency measure uses a moderated internal assessment and predicted grade. They are fully accepted by UAE universities like NYU Abu Dhabi and Khalifa for admission. 

Should students still continue preparing for exams even if cancellation is possible?

Yes. Students should continue preparing because:

• Exams may still happen in some regions
• Strong preparation improves predicted/internal grades
• Backup options often depend on performance evidence

Are alternative grades, like predicted or portfolio-based results, valid for universities?

Yes, as long as they are issued or approved by official exam boards. Universities treat these as valid qualifications, similar to traditional exam results.

Do I need to tell universities myself about the cancellation? 

Yes, you can directly approach university admission offices and provide a clear explanation for supporting evidence. 

Will I lose a year due to these exam cancellations?
No, the portfolio assessment allows you to progress academically while receiving formal certification.

Who determines the final grades?
OxfordAQA examiners will assess the ‘evidence of student performance’ in line with standard grading criteria, with more details emerging.